Good News, 2010 | featured news

Retail sales and industrial production in April both enjoyed continued growth, reinforcing the sustainability of the economic recovery in the United States. On Friday the U.S. Commerce Department reported retail sales gained 0.4% in April, ahead of Wall Street’s expected 0.2% rise, but below the 2.1% jump in March. Peter Newland, economist at Barclays Capital, notes that the total was driven by a 0.5% increase in both autos and gasoline, and a 6.9% jump in building material sales. All of that is nice, but core sales, which exclude these elements, actually fell 0.2%, which is much weaker than excepted.

While improving, the job market still has a long way to go before it can be counted on to provide a base for a sustained economic recovery.

Early reports from retailers show that Americans took a a breather from their March shopping spree in April, partly because Easter came earlier. But the spring selling season is ending up respectable, an encouraging sign for the economy....

General Motors said its domestic sales in April rose 20% for the four brands the company is keeping thanks to continued strength in crossover vehicles and cars.

U.S. auto sales continued to rise in April as the stabilizing economy and attractive discounts brought more consumers into showrooms.

U.S. housing starts rose more than expected in March to their highest level since November 2008 and permits to build new homes scaled a 17- month high.

Retail sales soared in March, the government said Wednesday, in the latest sign of improving consumer confidence.

Chrysler Group LLC Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne reiterated that the auto maker "intends to break even" on an operating basis this year and will hit its target of selling 1.1 million new vehicles in the U.S.

The 0.3 percent rise in consumer spending in February was considered a respectable showing, given the winter weather.

U.S. stocks rose broadly, with investors encouraged by a government report that job losses were less than expected in February.